The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-09-28
A NEWsYLETTER FROM WEBSTER
STATION.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

w EBSTEh STAT1OAb oept. <OIn, 1901.
stopped over at this point from Satur-
day noon to await the opening of the Court
at Webster on Monday morning, some
what ahead of the Judge. who will not
arrive until tomorrow morning, butready
to take hold of the sovereign people and
their "sovereigns,n if they are provided
with them, before they become packed
away in the Court House under the eye of
the Judiciary which permits no straying
from the fold OF justice In the mean
time have passed the time pleasantly, if
not profitably.
There has been no addition to, or en-
largement of this little town since was
here in April last But it holds its own
and its business has somewhat enlarged.
Mr.. Carpenter. one of s.e merchants, has
a good trade, with thtass liability of soon
expanding it. Esilpsg 4zarly do really
large business. In addition to the ordin-
ary functio"s of the merchant, Mr.. Enloe
tells me he ships largely of stock. not only
cattle, but horses and mules. OF these he
IL ks he will ship about 200, all raised in
jackson county-raised like cattle on the
range, and then brought in and broken to
hary 5Ss.
This is decidedly healthy place. The
population is about 100. In four years,
which is about the age of the place, not a
death has ever occurred. This is without
a parallel, believe
Mr.. W. A Dills tells me of remarkable
instance of healthfulness in connection
with exceptional abstinence from tobacco.
hof leof 6 A
icans His father, Phillip Dills. is 80
years old; his mother is 81; they raised
family of nine children, all of whom are
married and have families. In all of these
there are seventy five grand children
not one, including the husbands of the
daughters of Mr.. Dills, there is not one
who uses, or ever has used, tobacco in any
shape or form. Mr.. Dills, senior, is hale
and hearty, active and strong as any of
his sons. In his family, until the grown
children married and dispersed. there was
never any medicine of any description
used, and no medical and surgical aid
ever sought except in case of accidents to
some of the boys.
There will be no corn bought in this
county from abroad for another twelve
months. The crop is abundant in valley
and on mountain side. A field of the lat
ter was in this afternoon and it looked
like Roanoke bottom. And this is the
universal report.
l attended service this morning in a new
building intended for q Union Church
and school house. The building is not
quite finished, from want of means, l re-
greC to say. The burden has fallen upon
a few; and the generously inclined have
an opportunity. to do a praiseworthy act
by timely contribution
The congregation was a full one, and
exceedingly devotional. The preacher
was the Rev. Mr.. Kennedy of the Presby-
teTian church. He is blind, and has been
since his birth. He is mainly self educa-
ted, beginning the use, uninstructed, of
the methods of reading provided for the
offud befors shs AsyfanI at IsIIsoisstI- WAS
established.
To see him in the pulpit, before he
opened his lips, was the suggestion of the
physically blind leading those in spiritual
darkness To hear him speak was to
learn that the Spirit had "lightened'' his
made all things clear. His manner was
earnest, his style natural, his language
fluent and familiar, and his subject was
treated with direct and simple earnestness
that was touching Ind impressive, made
more so by the bereavement of the impor-
tant sense of sight. He carries his own
Bible with him, passing his finger rapidly
over the raised letters, and reading with
such case and emphasis as did not betray
his infirInity.
Mr.. Kennedy is from Mecklenburg, but
has spent much time IN the mountains, and
is we'll known from Mitchell to Cherokee.
! wish the pleasant house at which AM
stopping was mole widely known. Mr..
and Mrs. Bryson are not only most kind
and attentive hosts, but their table is most
excellent, perfect family table, with
every thing abundant. well cooked, and
well served. They have had few con-
slant guests during the summer. and the
house is quite full ut present During the
winter and spring either new house will
be built or additions made to the present
one; and then they will be justified in
holding out inducements which rather
limited accommodation had not fully
authorized
The mineral spring near the house is
destined l think to become famous. A
Baltimore chemist is now engaged in al
analysis. This chemist was here some
time since, and thinks the water has cx-
traordinary virtues. More will be made
known of it before long.
l assembled lofty peak on the other side
of the Tuckasegee this afternoon in, com
pany with Mr. W. A. Dills and Mr.. Bogg:
of the lumber firm of Merrick and Boggs
and was rewarded with one of the mos
magnificent and comprehensive views tina
ever delighted my eyes; but as l havr
made such things the subject of forme
letters. I will not weary by repetition
though 10 the eye such repetition no
only does not weary, but is ever new, fresl
and Transporting. G.